Everybody needs to just take a time out, unclench a bit, breathe, and slow things down. Yes, the War-riors have lost five of their last seven, including last night's frustrating loss to the Celtics, but this is no reason to panic.

Hey, you know, mama said there'd be stretches like this. It happens to every team. A couple of tough drops to top-shelf teams, a long road trip, a back-to-back, consecutive losses. Next thing you know, you're staring down the barrel of a bonafide slump.

Have we forgotten the lessons of Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell? The Detroit Pistons (contemporary, not vintage) and the San Antonio Spurs have proven that good guys can finish first. This team doesn't need Artest's edginess to gain a competitive advantage. What it needs is power in the low post.